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Wendy F.

Bought it on suggestion

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023

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It is a thick book and I have not had the time to read it yet.

Hanna Packer

A Must Read

Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2023

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If you want to improve your health, this is an eye opening scientific study that needs to be read. Should be a required reading for all doctors.

Noriko🐥🐝

Changed my attitude and turned around my diet for better health and life!

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023

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This book and How Not To Die book totally changed my attitude and diet. Thank you so much for the information, I would not know otherwise. It has been only 3 months since I changed to the whole food plant based diet, yet I am feeling so much better and less inflammation/pain/swelling. Sleeping better and more energy, too.

Freedom.

Everyone(including and almost more importantly physicians) should read this book.

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2017

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In college I played 3 sports a day while eating little other than fast food, frozen pizzas and Busch light. I have always been in pretty good shape and never been even close to overweight.

When I recently became a little older(30), and started looking into how to eat healthy, much of the most available information was very conflicting. Was the healthiest way to eat and live Paleo, raw, Bulletproof, Vegan, or something else. I read though "How Not to Die" -Micheal Greger, and came away more than surprised that there is a very simple, proven(supported in hundreds of ways by thousands of studies over the past 50 years or more) way that everyone should eat whether they are sick or not. Both Dr. Greger's book and The China Study are partially summaries of hundreds of research studies and that is what it took for me to be convinced. These are very different from "diet" books that are published almost solely to make money. I am convinced that both Campbell and Greger only care about getting the actual scientific evidence to the public. I know Dr. Greger gives all the money from his book sales to his notprofit website(nutritionfacts.org) But just read for yourself and see.

I began with the WFPB diet about 2 months ago and follow it probably 90% of the time(I don't let it interfere much in social situations, and still have a few beers). While I felt great before starting, and didn't have much to improve physically, the only difference I have noticed so far is that I am starting to see my abs(which I have never really been able to do.) Currently have a 4 pack but am pretty confident it will turn into 8 in a few months. Also while my B/P and cholesterol were "normal"(for the "healthy" american) last time I had them checked, I'm pretty sure they will be much lower the next time, and close to as actually healthy as they can be.
(Edit- 4 months later B/P down to 105/63 from 132/80)

The last quarter of this book, especially the new edition had some pretty amazing information including a multiple decade long inside look at how Big Medicine, Big Pharma, the government, the meat and dairy industries, and even universities have prevented the actual science from reaching the public, but allow their own business/industry supporting versions.

One amazing example is how Dr. Esselstyn(a previous famous cardiac surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic) now treats many of the senior staff at the clinic with the WFPB lifestyle change, but is basically prevented in many ways by the clinic from treating the public. The senior staff know the actual best treatment for CAD but will not support it for the public in place of meds and surgery!

I am actually starting medical school at a well known university in two months, and am excited to be a physician that will treat people in the best way possible, based on a summation of all the research(including the wholistic type). And that may be starting them on a WFPB diet(even though I'm pretty sure I will not learn that in med school).

"How did we get to a place where the companies that profit from out sickness are the ones telling us how to be healthy; where the companies that profit from our food choices are telling us what to eat; where the public's hard-earned money is being spent by the government to boost the drug industry's profits; and where there is more distrust than trust of our government's policies on foods, drugs, and health? How did we get to a place where Americans are so confused about what is healthy that they no longer care?"

In this book Campbell backs up all of these statements that are very sad but true. Read it, be open minded, and I bet it will change your life for the better.

Texan2011

An absolute must-read! Thank you, Dr Campbell!!!

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018

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In 2005, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and have suffered unspeakable pain every day since then. Doctors recommended I start Enbrel injections, saying it was either that, or end up on a wheelchair. At no point did any healthcare professional ask me what I was eating. I ate anything that was pre-made, like pastas, burgers, cookies, breads, chips, pastries of all kinds, Mexican and Italian food with lots of butter and oils, drank sodas and sweet tea every single day, with the occasional "healthy" meal to (supposedly) bring balance. I WISH I had known about the simple truths Dr. Campbell presents in this book! It took my body THREE days to start feeling remarkably better once I radically eliminated all the poisons I was eating, and fully embraced a plant-based diet. I made two rules for myself in this new lifestyle: first, I would never go hungry, and second, I would only eat what I like and enjoy. Well, I have discovered an entire world of delicious and surprisingly filling foods! Because I'm actually able to handle and chop ingredients now that the pain is almost completely gone (I've been doing this for 2 months now), I find it fun to prepare meals, actually! It's been waaaay easier than I would've thought!

The healing that is taking place in my body since breaking off all ties to toxic foods and enjoying simple recipes using fruits, vegetables, brown rice, beans, and lots of green leafs, etc. is nothing short of miraculous! I feel energetic, younger, in a better mood, better able to handle stressful situations and just happier!

Please read this book and share it with friends and family. I also recommend Dr. Esselstyn and Dr. McDougall's books. They've changed my life. As far as films, I'm forever grateful for the story of Phil on "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" which inspired me to get off my butt and do this already. Also, "That Sugar Film" is a must see. But if you want a summary of what's on this wonderful book, The China Study, watch "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix.

You CAN reverse disease! I'm living proof. I feel healthier but I also have the improved cholesterol reports to prove it. I just can't wait to get a new RA panel to compare with the old, terrible one.

Break up with processed foods, dairy and meats the same way you'd break off a relationship with a toxic person. Just walk away and never look back. You'll love the new you. :)

L. Smith

A must read for Americans in particular

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023

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If you want to live a long, healthy life, read this book.
I am embarrassed it took me this long to discover this information. I read a lot and am a home cook that grows a lot of my family’s veggies and herbs, but I was overlooking the most important fact about animal protein in our diet.
The more I read, the smarter I’m getting.
I just ordered the referenced cookbook and am so excited to expand my culinary skills into this new direction.

Amazon Customer

Eye opener about how to be your healthiest

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023

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Why should we take the drugs big pharma peddles on doctors who have bought the lie. WFPB is the best way to go. I went from A1C of 7.6 (in Oct 2021) to 5.7 (in May 2023). Now, I just need to get off the processed foods to help maintain a healthy weight.

Amazon Customer

full of information that changed my life...

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2018

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As with any nutrition or "diet" book there is controversy on whether these studies are legitimate or merely identifying correlations that support their conclusions. And there are noted doctors on both sides of every argument - so it is very hard to know what is right. However, I can offer the following observations as a non-vegan former athlete who developed a chronic illness after being exposed to an unknown virus while traveling in India. My illness was mostly under control for 4 years and I was able to maintain what would be a relatively normal life for most with few limitations (working full time, working out daily, social life, etc.); however, I began to adopt a paleo/keto diet over a year or so and stuck to it because I enjoyed the weight loss. I had not eaten bread or potatoes in over a year and was very carb averse. And yet, I was getting progressively sicker over an 18 month period until I was essentially bed ridden for 20+ hours a day. Then I met a woman who suggested I read the Starch Solution and one thing led to another - Forks over Knives, What the Health and this book, the China Study. As anyone with a chronic illness will tell you...at some point you will try anything. And so it was that I became vegan - a diet that I had always thought of as ridiculously unhealthy. I began eating bread (fresh, local, vegan), potatoes, rice, grains, fruit, beans and of course veggies. I eliminated dairy, meat and fish. I did not have much confidence that it would make a significant difference, particularly after two weeks of being very "clean" (as in vegan clean - not keto clean) I saw no health improvement. Which in hindsight is silly because it took a while to become that sick while eating a high animal based protein diet. But for those of you who have gone on very clean protein diets you know that 2 weeks will result in some pretty immediate changes - weight loss, lean and a bit wired. But again, with nothing to lose, I stuck with it and 3 months into the routine - boom - it was as if someone turned on a light switch. I am still only regaining my former state of energy - but the upswing is VERY noticeable, I am exercising for 40+ minutes day/ 3 x per week, I can shower without needing a nap, the list goes on and on.

So while there will always be debates around diet and nutrition with all sides claiming to have solid scientific evidence for their conclusions - I found this book to be full of information that changed my life.

Melitta

A must read for some amazing info around years of real studies. It saved my friends life of cancer.

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2023

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The book is easy for the lay person to understand. Most important book I have ever read. It will save many people from devastating health issues in such a simple way.

Educated Consumer 77

Comprehensive Study of Nutrition

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2023

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It's the most comprehensive book ever written on nutrition. It opened my eyes with all of the knowledge that poured from it's pages. It reinforced my decision to eat only a WFPB diet.

Amazon Customer

My weight has always been perfect and I've always been known as the healthy one ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2018

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There are no words that can be said to describe how this book, and the author's studies (along with those of his colleagues), has changed my life. I don't want to write a story about my past and the health issues I've dealt with over the past 15 years, but I will say that I always thought I was a very healthy eater as an organic farmer of both vegetables and livestock. I haven't eaten at a fast food restaurant in over twenty years and have been to only two "healthy" restaurants for the past ten. My weight has always been perfect and I've always been known as the healthy one in my family. I kept a lot of my issues quite, while silently suffering to something I thought was unavoidable. After switching to a whole foods plant based diet my life has been so immensely changed that I literally have been crying tears of joy since my transition about 3 months ago. Before purchasing this book, and doing research on my own, I first read all the negative reviews. I always do go to the worst of the worst first to get the most constructive feedback. There weren't many, however, the first one star review was given by a Dr. Thomas Accardi. I wanted to know what this man's credentials were, so I did a search for his name of google. He wasn't a doctor. This individual also died exactly one year after posting his negative review. I couldn't find much information, but I did find a photo of him in front of a grill...how ironic. Anyone can see this for themselves. All this said, my 5 star, as much as it is about this book, is more about my life and body as breathing, living proof of how incredible a whole foods plant-based diet is. What I am most thankful for though is I see a whole new sense of happiness and peace in my children since making this change...there is no better life as a parent! In addition, to anyone who states "I was vegan for a while and got very sick." This is so incredibly bogus it's SAD! These are the folks that were probably eating chips and Oreos, yes, Oreos are vegan. It's absolute FACT that Vegans live longer, better lives. This can be proven 100%. For anyone doubting veganism, look into "Blue Zones Diet". This review is written by a woman that's milked her own organic Jersey cow, slaughtered many chickens to feed her family, and advocated The Weston A. Price Foundation...until she became sick. Thank God I've found the truth!!!!!!

M.G.

Important in understanding why the American Standard Diet is harmful to our health.

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2023

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Although there is controversy on the affect of red meat on our diets, this book shows how important our diet is to our overall health and simply adopting a diet like everyone else can be so damaging to our health, happiness and life. Balance is the key to it all and understanding that our modern processing of foods do not come without risks. Anyone interested in understanding the nuances and complexities of eating healthy into today's society should take the time to read this book.

Kindle Customer

Obnoxiously Opiniated

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2023

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Reminiscent of Ancil Keys' infamous "7 Country Study" where 2/3 of the days were thrown out in order to support the pre conceived conclusion.

Author repeatedly confuses association with causality. In addition, repeatedly over generalizes.

Recommended only for those who need to see the appalling lack of science in medical health recommendations.

KC

Osteoporosis folks check this out!! Very informative on how to build BONES

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2020

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I should wait to write a review until I have read the entire book, but here I am. Just like with movies you know from the beginning if you are onto something fabulous. Made decision to go plant based with the beginning of the fires in Australia. Had to feel I am doing something for the wildlife and the planet as I love the animals. However, I have several chronic illnesses and I had no idea if I would be harming my bone health with lowering my protein consumption. It did not matter bc I was committed to going full vegan either way. What I learned was astounding and will surprise you too in a POSITIVE sense. The pharma drugs for osteoporosis are very dangerous...everyone I know who has taken these has ended up with ulcers in their mouth, G.I.tract, Stomach or jaw necrosis. The side effect list is longer than this but I will not take these drugs. I was very pleased to learn that my bones will become stronger on a plant based diet for many reasons. The body becomes less acidic with plant based diet and will become more alkaline. This alone is excellent for many systems in the body but for bone health eating animal protein causes the body to excrete calcium from the bones into the urine and loose this vital calcium from the bones. However plant proteins do not cause this issue. Many with osteoporosis have hypercalciuria, me included. I will post an update next time I have this rechecked after being on this diet a full 6 months. Additionally it is not hard to do this. I was so bored eating the same old things out to eat or from grocery. This lifestyle change has opened doors and eating is now fun and interesting again and so is cooking.